Seasonal Living

.

I think I'm going to write a book on this topic ... no not here... and I'm really just kidding, but this is a topic about which I am passionate. I firmly believe that living seasonally, as in changing how we live according to the season, is the way we are meant to live.

I am grateful that I live in a geographic area that has seasonal changes. We spent seven years in Tampa, Florida, when I was a teen, and while we had mild temperature changes, there were no seasons. I think it made my mother batty and I can see why.

Living seasonally is natural entertainment. When we allow our lives to be different from one day to another, according to the weather and the seasonal chores and hobbies, our lives are altered just enough to keep us from getting bored. Do you know what I mean?

Yesterday our weather was gorgeous -- high 70s, sunny, and breezy. The forecast for today was stormy. So yesterday morning, I dragged all of the laundry and several sets of sheets down to the dungeon and started my washing early. By 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, everything was washed, dried on the line, and folded, and by 8 o'clock last night it was all put away. I love that feeling that I made hay while the sun was shining. Now today, I can spend time indoors while the rain waters my garden.

I think when we do the same things, day after day, without taking advantage of the changes in our environment, we invite boredom. I think of the way our ancestors did things, and they had a good thing going. They slept when it was dark and worked when it was light. They didn't have baking days and laundry days at the same time. They focused their energy on one chore at a time and they worked around the seasons and the weather. And they included God in everything they did. What a beautiful way to live.

.